MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. laid off 475 people Wednesday and eliminated 700 open positions as it struggles with disappointing sales, a lack of love from Canadian shoppers and the aftershocks of its massive data breach.

"Today we informed our team that approximately 475 positions are being eliminated worldwide," Target said in a statement. "We believe these decisions, while difficult, are the right actions as we continue to focus on transforming our business."

Some of the eliminated jobs will be taken over by contractors or sent overseas, including to India, employees said.

The long-rumored layoffs began Wednesday morning, when employees were summoned to 15-minute private meetings.

They follow a series of troubles at the discount giant, which had stumbled even before hackers stole private customer data on up to 110 million holiday shoppers. Many retailers struggled over the holidays, but Target faced unique troubles. Three months ago, the company warned it was unable to meet its earlier promise of robust growth. Along with its U.S. struggles, its expansion last year into Canada -- the largest in Target history -- has been troubled and costly.

The company had hoped for a blockbuster holiday season, one that showcased its splashy new digital tools. Instead, Target was victimized by the massive data breach that angered customers, wounded its image, exposed it to immense costs, hurt its stock price and sent shoppers elsewhere.

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The 19-day security breach hit Target at the worst possible moment -- between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when stores are busiest. News of the breach became public one week before the last-minute Christmas rush.

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder declined to say whether any Target executives were among those laid off Wednesday.

Target has $74 billion in annual sales and stores in 49 states. Locally, it has stores on Plain Street in Lowell and at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua. Company officials recently confirmed that a new store will open in Wilmington this fall, providing up to 150 jobs.

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